Project PathoPig—A practical approach to strengthen post mortem analyses and early detection of pig diseases and zoonoses

Abstract

Post mortem examinations are important for early detection and diagnosis of animal diseases and zoonoses. Over the last ten years, the number of necropsies in livestock has decreased considerably in Switzerland. To counteract this decline, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) launched a project in 2014 called PathoPig. The aim is to evaluate the significance of pathologic-anatomical examinations for early detection of pig diseases and to investigate the impact of the findings on the improvement of pig health.Pig producers can participate if at least one of the following criteria is fulfilled: high morbidity and/or high mortality, unusual clinical signs, recurrent problems of unknown aetiology resistant to therapy or increased use of antimicrobials. Accordingly, the veterinarian examines the herd, fills in a standardised anamnesis protocol and submits one to three pigs representing the health problem to a designated pathology laboratory. After post mortem examination, the veterinarian offers specific recommendations to the farmer. Three to six months later, the Swiss Pig Health Service (SPHS) follows up the success of the veterinary recommendations.In 2014, 371 farms submitted pigs for PathoPig. In 84% of these cases, a conclusive diagnosis was obtained. In 56% of the cases, gastrointestinal problems were determined, most often (44%) caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli. In more than 80% of the cases, the animal health status could be improved considerably after the veterinary consultation.Increased post mortem examinations allowed more specific therapeutic treatments and management recommendations. Additionally, an improvement of collaboration between diagnostic laboratories, veterinarians and producers was achieved, thereby strengthening disease awareness and early detection of pig diseases and zoonoses in Switzerland.

Reviving post-mortem diagnostics as a tool to increase porcine herd health and strengthen early detection of pig diseases – the PathoPig project 2014-2016

“…housing, hygiene) and therefore no specific etiology was detected. Diarrhea linked to infection with E. coli remains one of the most important diseases in suckling piglets and weaners in Switzerland (Graage et al, 2015;Brand et al, 2017). A similar situation is reported from Austria (Schoder, pers.…”

“…Post-mortem diagnostics contribute to nationwide disease surveillance programs in veterinary medicine in Switzerland (Kimpfler et al, 2007;FSVO, 2010;FSVO, 2014;Graage et al, 2015) and are an important tool for early detection of (re-)emerging animal diseases and zoonoses. In Switzerland, currently approximately 6850 pig farms raise approx.…”

“…In Switzerland, post-mortem diagnostics of pigs, including gross pathological, histopathological and microbiological investigations are performed at university, cantonal and private pathology laboratories. These examinations provide important information in cases of non-specific clinical signs or diagnoses, thus contributing to timely recognition and treatment of economically important diseases, zoonoses and emerging pathogens (Kimpfler et.al, 2007;Graage et al, 2015). Therefore, porcine post-mortem diagnostics are an important part of preventive veterinary medicine and veterinary public health.…”

“…Implementation of recommendations was classified as: a) Complete implementation, b) Partial implementation and c) No implementation. In addition, herd health was classified as: 1) Much better, 2) Better, 3) Unchanged or 4) Worse.The project was publicly announced in several journals(FSVO, 2014; Hadorn et al, 2014;Hadorn D., 2015;Hadorn D., 2016;Hadorn D., 2017), at various meetings(Balmer et al, 2014, Balmer et al 2015, Schediwy et al 2017 as well as in the FSVO's reports(FSVO, 2014; FSVO, 2015;Graage et al, 2015; FSVO, 2016).…”